BUDGET 2017-Jaitley Speaks on Agriculture sector

Highlights of Agriculture sector:

* Our agenda for 2017-18 is transform, energise and clean India, i.e tech India.

* India's macroeconomic stability continues to the foundation of our economic success.

* Total area sown under Rabi and Kharif season is more than last year.

* Farmers will benefit from 60-day interest waiver announced by the Prime Minister.

* We are committed to double incomes of farmers in five years.

* Fasal Bima Yojna: Scheme will be increased ferom 30 per cent to 40 per cent this year.

* Agriculture is expected to grow at 4.1 per cent in the current year.

* My approach in preparing the Budget is to spend more on rural areas, infrastructure and poverty alleviation with fiscal prudence.

* Government has continued with a steady path of fiscal consolidation.

* Agriculture sector expected to grow 4.6 per cent, agriculture expenditure targeted at Rs 10 lakh crore, focus are credit agri disbursements.

* Issuance of soil health cards has gained momentum.

* The government will set up mini labs to cater to the needs of farmers. Additional 100 mini-labs will be set up by entrepreneurs.

* Demand for two-wheelers, tractors to rise.

* 50,000 gram panchayats to be made poverty free by 2019.

* Dairy processing infrastructure fund to be set up under NABARD, with fund of Rs 8,000 crore.

* Assistance of upto Rs 75 lakh for cleaning and packaging of farmer produce.

* Govt will set up mini-labs to cater to the needs of farmers. Additional 100 mini-labs will be set up by entrepreneurs.

* Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna roads work accelerated to 133 km roads per day in 2016-17 as against 73 km per day during 2011-14.

* Open defecation-free (ODF) villages given priority for piped drinking water.

* Four state-run general insurance companies are in for a bumper revenue growth next year as the Fasal Bima Yojna allocation is raised to Rs 13,240 crore next fiscal, from Rs 5,500 crore now.

Stay tuned for more such updates.